Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-17
Countess ualOla.
BY wILKIE COLLINS.
CHAPTER XVII.

His first impulse was to throw aside the
manuscript, and never to look at It AGAIN
The one chance of relieving his mind from
the dreadful uncertainty that oppressed it,
by obtaining positive evidence of the truth,
was a chance annihilated by the countess
DEATH What good purpose could be served,
what relief could he anticipate, II he read
morel
He walked up and down the room After
an interval, his thoughts took new diree-
ton; the question of the manuscript pre-
sented itself under another point OF view.
Thus far, his reading had only informed him
that the conspiracy had been planned How
did he know that the Plan had been put III ex-
ecutioni
The manuscript hay just before him on the
floor, He hesitated--then picked 1t up; and,
returning to the table, read on as follows,
from the point at which he had let off:
while the countess Is still absorbed in the
bold yet simple combination OF circumstances
which she has discovered, the baron returns.
He takes "A serious view of the case OF the
courier: it may be necessary, he thinks, 60
send for medical advice. No servant is left
in the palace now the English maid has taken
her deHarture The baron himself must fetch
the doctor, if the doctor is really needed.
"'Iet us have medical help by all MEANS
his sister replies. But wait and hear some
thing that have 10 say to you first She
then electrifes the baron by communicating
her ideas to him What danger of discovery
have they TO dreadi Ny lords life in Venice
has been life of absolute seclusion; nobody
but his banker knows him, even by personal
appearance. He has presented his letter of
credit as perfect stranger; and he and his
banker have never seen each other since that
first visit He has given no parties, aud gone
tono parties On the few occasions when he
has hired "A goRiola or taken a walk he has
ALWAYS been alone Thanks to the atrocious
suspicion which makes him ashamed of being
seen with his wife, he has led the very life
which makes the proposed enterprise easy Of
accomplishment.
@The cautious baron liStenS--but gives no
positive opinion as yet See what you can
do with the courier be says, and | will de
eide when hear the result. One valuable
hint may give you before YOU go. Your
man is easily tempted by money--if you only
offer him enough. The other day l asked
him in Jest what lie would do for 81 go. He
answered anything. Bear that in mind, and
offer your highest bid without bargaining
"The scene changes to the courier's room
and shows the poor wretch with photo
graphic portrait of his wife in his hand, cry
ing. The countess enters.
"She wisely begins by sympathizing with
her contemplated acc0mplice. He is duly
grateful; he confides his SORROWS 10 his gra-
cious mistress Now that he believes himself
to be OH his deathbed he feels remorse for his
neglected. treatment of his wife He could
resign himself to die, but despair overpowers
him when he remembers that he has saved no
money, and that he will leave his widow
without resources, to the mercy of the
world.
"On this hint the countess speaks Sup
pose YOU were asked to do u perfectly easy
thing sine says; and suppose you were re-
warded for doing 1t by apresent of 81 600 as q
legacy for your widowf a.u-
THE courier raises himself on bis pillow,
and looks at the countess with an expression
of incredUlous surprise, She can hardly be
cruel enough the thinks to joke with man
in his miserable plight. Will she say plainly
what this perfectly easy thing is, the doing
of which will meet with such a magnificent
reward
"The countess answers that question by
confiiing her project to the courier, without
the slightest reserve.
"Some minutes Of silence follow when sht
has done The courier is not weak enough
vet to speuk without stopping to think first
Still keeping his eyes on the countess, b,
makes a quantity innocent remark on wha
he has just heard. 4 have not hitherto beef
religious man; but feel myself on the way
10 it, Since your ladyship has spoken to me
believe in the devil 1t is the countess in
terest TO see the humorous side of this con
fession of faith. She takes no offense Sh
only SAYS, 4 will give you half an hour b,
yourself, to shink over my proposal. Yo'
are in danger OF death. Decide, in you
wife's interests whether you will die wort
nothing, or die worth thousand pounds
LEFT alone, the courier seriously consider
his position-and decides. He rises with dill
fculty, writes q few lines on leaf take
from his pocket book; and with slow and ia
tering steps leaves the room,
"The countess, returning at the expiration
of the half hours interval, finds the roof
empty While she is wondering the courie
opens the door. What has he been doing on
Of his beds He answers: Il have been prt
tecting my own life, my lady on the bar
chance that may recover from the bronchit
for the third time. If you or the baron a
tempt to hurry me out of this world or to d,
prive me of my Il 600 reward shall tell th
doctor where he will find few lines of wri
ing which describes your ladyships plot.
may not have strength enough, in the cas-
supposed, to betray you by making con
plete confession with my own bps, but ca
employ my last breath 10 speak the ha
dozen words which will tel the doctor wher
he is 10 look Those words, it is needless I
add, will be addressed to your ladyship if
lind your engagements toward ME faithful
kept ...p
with this audaciOus preface he proceed
to state the condition on which hs will pla
his part in the conspiracy, and die (if he doe
die worth 81 900.
Either the countess or the baron are
taste the food and drink brought to his bee
side. In his presence, and even the medicine
which the doctor may prescribe for him.
for the money, it is to be produced in on
bank note, folded in sheet OF paper, O
courier Tho two irc,os,ra1 orc thsn 70 =
ssalad nm in nm orvaInr,s addrassad 20 h
wife, and stamped ready for the post Tn
done the letter is to ha nIacad nndar n
niIlou tba baron or +ho cprntass ha;na ,
liberty to satisfy themselves, day by day 6
their own time, that the letter remains
its place with the seal unbroken, rs long {
the doctor has any hope of his patients r
co'ery' Inc iast slpuiation 1olo"s' III
courier nus d co'iSciehce, ana WIN view
heepihS IL easy iisA'la that he shaii DO ieit